Tag Archive: tailcoat

In honour of Remembrance Day today we take a look back at World War II and the modest sacrifices made by men on the home front to support the men on the battlefield making the greatest sacrifice of all. I…Read more

Here’s an interesting look back at the “correct details” of evening clothes circa 1940 courtesy of Esquire magazine. While some of the advice is specific to that particular period the vast majority of it remains pertinent to this day….Read more

It’s rare enough for White Tie to be worn to any diplomatic occasion these days but rarer still to see it worn as per Vatican protocol: in broad daylight and with a black waistcoat. The replacement of the usual white waistcoat may well…Read more

While writing a recent post on Vienna’s famous balls I stumbled across a remarkable booklet called DRESSCODES that is devoted entirely to the dress etiquette for these affairs. I say “remarkable” because in an age where vulgarity and slovenliness is…Read more

Like other rarefied details of bygone formal tailoring such as shirt-front trouser tabs and authentic trouser braiding, I have long wished to see an actual example of pockets hidden inside a tailcoat’s tails. From The Black Tie Guide: “In company, as little…Read more

The shawl collar is normally associated with the informal smoking jacket or semi-formal dinner jacket so it was surprising to learn that it has occasionally been featured on full-dress tailcoats dating back to the Victorian era. In 1866 The Gazette…Read more

Most people are familiar with the use of lapel facings to add flair to a tuxedo but likely few are aware that the jacket’s collar and cuffs can be used for this purpose as well. The history of formalwear trimmings…Read more